AFL-CIO Blog

  • Women's History Month Profiles: Frances Perkins
    Women's History Month Profiles: Frances Perkins AFL-CIO For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Frances Perkins. Perkins was born in Boston in 1880, descendant from a long line of Maine farmers and craftsmen. At Mount Holyoke College, she studied the natural sciences and economic history and was exposed to a variety of works and lectures who exposed her to new ways of thinking about the social problems she witnessed. After graduation, she learned more about the plight of working people when she volunteered in New York's settlement houses. She heard stories directly from workers about the dangerous conditions of factory work and the desperation of being unable to collect promised wages or secure medical care for workplace injuries. She left her teaching career, just as it was beginning, to earn a master's degree in economics and sociology. In 1910, she became secretary of the New York Consumers' League and was part of a team that lobbied the state legislature for a bill limiting the workweek for women and children to 54 hours. On March 25, 1911, she was attending a social function near the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory when the fire began. She witnessed the entire event. She was deeply affected by it:
    Up until that point she had lobbied for worker rights and on behalf of the poor, but she had been on a conventional trajectory, toward a conventional marriage, perhaps, and a life of genteel good works. After the fire, what had been a career turned into a vocation. Moral indignation set her on a different course. Her own desires and her own self became less central and the cause itself became more central to the structure of her life. The niceties of her class fell away. She became impatient with the way genteel progressives went about serving the poor. She became impatient with their prissiness, their desire to stay pure and above the fray. Perkins hardened. She threw herself into the rough and tumble of politics. She was willing to take morally hazardous action if it would prevent another catastrophe like the one that befell the women at the Triangle factory. She was willing to compromise and work with corrupt officials if it would produce results. She pinioned herself to this cause for the rest of her life.
    The results were obvious.  Perkins began to focus more on practical remedies to the challenges faced by working people. She held to a strong belief that legislation was the most important avenue to "right industrial wrongs," and she simultaneously championed labor organizing and collective action. In 1918, she was invited by Gov. Al Smith to join the New York State Industrial Commission, becoming the first woman to serve. By 1926, she had become the commission's chairwoman. In 1929, Gov. Franklin Roosevelt appointed her as the industrial commissioner for the state. She led a series of progressive reforms that included expanding factory investigations, reducing the workweek for women to 48 hours and championing minimum wage and unemployment insurance laws. In 1933, Perkins was chosen by President Roosevelt to serve as secretary of labor, making her the first woman ever appointed to a federal Cabinet position. She focused on creating a safety net to counteract the Great Depression's effects on working people. This was evident in the legislation she helped secure, including the Wagner Act (which gave workers the right to organize unions and bargain collectively), the Fair Labor Standards Act (which established the first minimum wage and created a maximum workweek) and the Social Security Act of 1935. She also played a crucial role in the dramatic labor uprisings of the 1930s and 1940s. She consistently supported the rights of workers to organize unions of their own choosing and to pressure employers through economic action. She successfully resolved strikes with gains for workers time and time again, most notably helping end the 1934 San Francisco General Strike without violence or the use of federal troops, an option that was on the table. In 1945, Perkins resigned from her position as labor secretary to head the U.S. delegation to the International Labor Organization conference in Paris. President Harry Truman appointed her to the Civil Service Commission, a job she held through 1953. She also returned to the classroom to teach at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She died in New York in 1965 at the age of 85 and was buried in her family's plot in New Castle, Maine. Read more about Perkins. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/15/2019 - 10:37     — Mar 15
  • Steelworker Wins Election to Local Maine School Board
    Steelworker Wins Election to Local Maine School Board Maine AFL-CIO United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9 member Kathy Wilder won a write-in election for school board in Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 54 on March 4. Wilder, who works as a chemical prep operator at Sappi Fine Paper in Skowhegan, says that her priorities will be student achievement, fiscal responsibility, clear communications and social justice. "Being elected to the school board is really exciting for me because I grew up in Norridgewock and attended K-12 in MSAD 54," said Wilder after finishing a night shift at the mill. "Now I have to give back to the community by working to make the future a brighter and stronger place for today’s youth." Wilder worked with the Maine AFL-CIO in 2018 as part of our labor candidates training program to elect more union members and working class people to elected office at all levels. She previously ran for the Maine State Legislature in 2018. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/12/2019 - 12:42 — Mar 12
  • Paving the Way: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Paving the Way: What Working People Are Doing This Week AFL-CIO Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week. A. Philip Randolph Institute:
    Strong Unions Mean Strong African-American Communities https://t.co/teHSH89X2k — APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) March 4, 2019
    Actors' Equity:
    Looking forward to working with @TheUmbrellaArts for their upcoming season, expanding their ability to work with more actors in Boston! #EquityWorkshttps://t.co/IQgbOGa3ET pic.twitter.com/3s1RFpILPF — Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) March 7, 2019
    AFGE:
    This #WomensHistoryMonth, we're celebrating labor and civil rights leaders who have paved the way for generations to come. #AFGEWomen #1uwomen #1u pic.twitter.com/PF93ESFjz4 — AFGE (@AFGENational) March 7, 2019
    AFSCME:
    San Mateo County human services workers are on strike, demanding greater recognition for the critical role they play in their community. Some 600 members of Local 829 are asking for a fair contract to address caseloads, staffing, retention and more. https://t.co/TuDkKoHQJn — AFSCME (@AFSCME) March 6, 2019
    AFT:
    After a decade of neglect, AFT members across the country are standing up. They are taking to the streets to demand the teaching and learning conditions they and their students deserve. #FundOurFuture https://t.co/VbXBpaPHxk pic.twitter.com/a2KiuzKJQP — AFT (@AFTunion) March 7, 2019
    Air Line Pilots Association:
    Get to know your Canadian @WeAreALPA pilot groups. First up, Air Georgian: https://t.co/BAMInPB3a9 pic.twitter.com/vuQDnbYO97 — ALPA Canada (@ALPACanada) March 7, 2019
    Alliance for Retired Americans:
    Lawmakers are trying to curb sepsis infections and get better care for patients with a new bill that would boost punishment for understaffed nursing homes: https://t.co/GHeHNL0KyE pic.twitter.com/EKJr4eAWhq — Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) March 7, 2019
    Amalgamated Transit Union:
    Milwaukee bus drivers stage protest over proposed health care cuts https://t.co/ZrSARrRKXw #MCTS #transit #publictransit #1u — ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) March 7, 2019
    American Federation of Musicians:
    “As Music Director and a musician of this orchestra, I am with the Musicians," said Ricardo Muti in a letter delivered to Chicago Symphony management. BRAVO! 👏👏👏👏👏https://t.co/HxF9qRfMXX via @crainschicago — Amer. Fed. Musicians (@The_AFM) March 7, 2019
    American Postal Workers Union:
    For too long Wall Street robber barons have gambled with our economy while not even paying their fair share in taxes. Enough is enough! #WallStreetTax #TaxTheRich pic.twitter.com/ZB32SZ3eH7 — APWU National (@APWUnational) March 6, 2019
    Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
    "Cindy Domingo epitomizes public service with her tireless dedication and long string of accomplishments in repping communities so often left from the table.” Shout out to our APALA Seattle member for receiving the MLK Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service! https://t.co/QeOdJInkem pic.twitter.com/AR0sVqccbt — APALA (@APALAnational) March 7, 2019
    Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
    Over 70 years of experience and heart in aviation, the members of the Association of Flight Attendants know the realities of the aircraft cabin better than anyone. We don't just serve drinks. We save lives. pic.twitter.com/yzqoYXUecS — AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) March 7, 2019
    Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:
    Educators, parents, students and their communities are standing up with a clear message: that we’re not going to accept underfunding and scarcity. It's time to #FundOurFuture! Share this video from @AFTunion: https://t.co/GYf20DOjvz — BCTGM International (@BCTGM) March 4, 2019
    Boilermakers:
    Incredible @ChadlHymas at #Boilermakers CSO Conference: "People who refuse to change the way they’ve done things in the past never solve problems. They find themselves paralyzed by their own patterns...they find themselves trapped in the patterns they’ve created for themselves." pic.twitter.com/Rrs4rxxuHD — Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) March 5, 2019
    Bricklayers:
    Making a successful transition from the #military into the civilian workforce can be difficult, but with the help from @H2Hjobfairs, you can build a lifelong career in the trowel trades. Check it out: https://t.co/fs0PPoDhe3#ApprenticeshipWorks #skilledtrades #1u #construction — Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) March 6, 2019
    California School Employees Association:
    Great keynote speech by State Superintendent @TonyThurmond to a crowd of more than 1,200 @CSEA_Now members attending the 22nd Annual Paraeducator Conference in Sacramento today. “Classified employees are the backbone of our schools!” — CSEA (@CSEA_Now) March 6, 2019
    Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
    Another great piece by Bill. https://t.co/rD9f8eJrg3 — CBTU (@CBTU72) March 7, 2019
    Coalition of Labor Union Women:
    The #UnionDifference is clear: women in unions earn $231 more a week than non-union counterparts. #AAPIEqualPay pic.twitter.com/S31pKt2uKV — CLUW National (@CLUWNational) March 5, 2019
    Communications Workers of America:
    It's Throwback Thursday! CWA Local 7800 members & family picket outside the US West Headquarters in Seattle, on Aug. 16, 1998. Members were striking against mandatory overtime & reduction of wages & benefits. 34,000 union workers in 13 states participated. #tbt #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/Av2JveDhvu — CWA (@CWAUnion) March 7, 2019
    Department for Professional Employees:
    “Strategic investment in our arts and cultural organizations is not an extra, it’s a path to prosperity.” #artsadvocacy #UnitedForTheArts https://t.co/QHWsl0oO3r — Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) March 7, 2019
    Electrical Workers:
    ‘Times Are Changing:’ More women breaking into construction industry https://t.co/q8LgtVLTii — IBEW (@IBEW) March 4, 2019
    Farm Labor Organizing Committee:
    Hooray! https://t.co/jBOxJ9n7Su — Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) March 7, 2019
    Fire Fighters:
    The #IAFF is urging Congress to support federal #firefighters need for fair and equitable compensation and retirement benefits #FirefightersforFairness pic.twitter.com/shgDXYfuGw — IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) March 7, 2019
    Heat and Frost Insulators:
    Unlike typical post-high school education, a registered apprenticeship won’t leave you in debt, but rather help you build a stable, middle class life. Does this appeal to you? Learn more about joining the Insulators Union here: https://t.co/3Odj5kfMCh — Insulators Union (@InsulatorsUnion) March 7, 2019
    International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:
    Great article! The struggles facing #GameWorkers have been faced by many different industries in the past. The answer is to take your voice back, and form a #union! https://t.co/qDOcuW24d5 — IFPTE (@IFPTE) March 5, 2019
    International Labor Communications Association:
    If March roars in like a 🦁, we’re editing the thought to say the first two months of 2019 were roaring, if partially hibernating. Let's catch up and plant the seeds for a fruitful year. https://t.co/3XUC6y6UmA — Labor Communications (@ILCAonline) March 1, 2019
    Ironworkers:
    Iron Workers General Organizer Vicki O'Leary addressed the North American Iron Workers/IMPACT Conference general session about how workplace harassment threatens job site safety. https://t.co/RthABSKNoX #NWIC #InterntionalWomensDay #BeThatOneGuy #ImpactOfChange — Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) March 7, 2019
    Jobs With Justice:
    This is more like it: working people > subsidies for the biggest and wealthiest companies in the world. https://t.co/5CtPm7cXf2 — Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) March 7, 2019
    Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
    LCLAA is proud to have played a role in this amazing outcome aimed at protecting equal pay!https://t.co/7MEupRn1BL — LCLAA (@LCLAA) March 7, 2019
    Laborers:
    ICYMI - Another win for workers in West Virginia, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Bailey has tossed out #RighttoWork” law – AGAIN! #RightToWorkIsWrong #RTW https://t.co/Ful35s8kGF — LIUNA (@LIUNA) March 7, 2019
    Machinists:
    After decades of anti-worker rulings, unions are now challenging Taft-Hartley on free speech and other constitutional grounds. Via @theprospect: https://t.co/ecrXj0rhee — Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) March 6, 2019
    Maritime Trades Department:
    UMWA’s Allen Updates Board on Pension Crisis | Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO https://t.co/4yozRPzRCQ — MaritimeTrades (@Maritime_Trades) February 28, 2019
    Metal Trades Department:
    “The AFL-CIO and our affiliates have long supported a substantial, long-term infrastructure investment plan — one that lifts up working people, grows the economy, creates ‘high... https://t.co/tLYq9iqx2R — Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) March 7, 2019
    Mine Workers:
    UMWA members attend the Congressional hearing on “The Cost of Inaction: Why Congress Must Address the Multiemployer Pension Crisis.” Retirees and employers will speak about their concern that some of the nation’s largest multiemployer pension plans soon becoming insolvent. pic.twitter.com/Am1atiqdKy — United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) March 7, 2019
    Musical Artists:
    Today, the American Guild of Musical Artists announced the installation of John Coleman as President of the Union, following the resignation of James Odom. To view the press release, please visit our website - https://t.co/hAtRl61guI#SolidarityForever #UnionStrong — AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) March 1, 2019
    National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
    NATCA members at Atlanta-area facilities safely handled more than 1,500 general aviation flights in the 36 hours surrounding #SuperBowl LIII. Feb. 4 was the busiest day for the Atlanta TRACON in more than a decade, handling more than 4,000 total flights. Well done! pic.twitter.com/6J8b3XR95J — NATCA (@NATCA) March 7, 2019
    National Association of Letter Carriers:
    Our member Chris Metropulos rescued a woman trapped on the second floor of a burning building. With help from a man, Chris locked elbows w/ the man & convinced the woman to jump to safety. Emergency responders later arrived to battle the fire & treat the woman. #Heroes #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/V0i7OnOTh4 — Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) March 7, 2019
    National Day Laborer Organizing Network:
    “There is nothing temporary about our families.” - @TPS_Alliance Coordinator Jose Palma#TPSJustice #ResidencyNow pic.twitter.com/aoUmJcUWED — NDLON (@NDLON) March 6, 2019
    National Domestic Workers Alliance:
    Mechelle Vinson filed a lawsuit against her supervisor for sexual harassment in the office and took her case all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1986, the Court ruled, for the first time, that sexual harassment is discriminatory and illegal. #WHM2019https://t.co/2XXTqoFYFJ — Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) March 7, 2019
    National Nurses United:
    No one should be left to die simply because they are too poor to afford health care. Take action- make sure your Congressperson is on the right side of history and supports #MedicareForAll. Call 202-858-1717 today. #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/B3YeLoA6qK — NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) March 7, 2019
    National Taxi Workers Alliance:
    Good news folks: Uber is now on the hook for unemployment insurance contributions for NY drivers! Uber withdrew its appeal of a ruling that found 3 former NYC Uber drivers and ALL SIMILARLY SITUATED drivers to be employees for the purposes of unemployment benefits! — NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) March 4, 2019
    The NewsGuild-CWA:
    Great showing by our @BostonNewsGuild members in support of a fair contract for their members @BostonGlobe https://t.co/0MWPNSXJHz — NewsGuild (@news_guild) March 6, 2019
    NFL Players Association:
    ICYMI: Our president dropped some knowledge about the salary cap https://t.co/DHA5WirHDx — NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 7, 2019
    North America's Building Trades Unions:
    To celebrate National Women in Construction Week, we will share some of the top stories and initiatives highlighting the increased role that WOMEN play in the #BuildingTrades. Keep up with the thread here 👀 #WICWeek2019 — The Building Trades (@NABTU) March 4, 2019
    Office and Professional Employees:
    The apparent contempt for working people shown by this administration is appalling. First, nearly 1m federal workers are forced to go w/o pay for 35 days. Now they want to roll back OT protections for millions, again shifting wealth from the many into the hands of the few. #1u https://t.co/CQJNYaiTZ9 — OPEIU (@opeiu) March 1, 2019
    Plasterers and Cement Masons:
    “The building trades have always maintained a healthy supply of job-ready, skilled, safe workers. ... But [we] cannot do it alone. ... [We] need continued support from the Department of Labor and the Trump administration for their apprenticeship programs.” https://t.co/iMvdGAZ0So — OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) February 28, 2019
    Plumbers and Pipe Fitters:
    Today Working Families United, the AFL-CIO, and more than 30 national unions and labor institutions sent a letter to Congress expressing their support for legislation that makes the protections for TPS holders and dreamers permanent. Find letter below. https://t.co/Lnd4chIdVt — GoIUPAT✊🏽 (@GoIUPAT) March 4, 2019
    Printing, Publishing and Media Workers-CWA:
    Union Printers Home Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Scholarships https://t.co/9NFp5AsjXl — CWA Printing Sector (@CWAPrintingSect) March 7, 2019
    Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
    "MLB players love our caps. People who make them for us deserve fair wages" TY @whatwouldDOOdo @Nationals for supporting union members at New Era—losing jobs as work sent overseas. Unions=America=baseball PASS members at FAA get you safely to games. #1u https://t.co/1qKH5DN88B — PASS (@PASSNational) March 4, 2019
    Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
    We need mayoral control of @NYCSchools. RWDSU is proud to stand with our brother and sisters in the labor movement to call on the NYS Legislature to renew mayoral control of the NYC school system without delay. #1u pic.twitter.com/aYsV5uItLE — RWDSU (@RWDSU) March 7, 2019
    SAG-AFTRA:
    #Chicago Local Volunteer Day at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (@FoodDepository) was a success! Thank you to all of our members and staff volunteers. #sagaftramembers pic.twitter.com/FeNlvOW9aQ — SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) March 6, 2019
    Seafarers:
    Climb aboard and sign the petition to support and embrace diversity and not contribute to gender, race, ethnicity, and age stereotypes. https://t.co/rP8gXTLjX9 — Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) March 7, 2019
    Solidarity Center:
    This #IWD2019 Kenya union leader Rose Omamo is championing passage of a proposed @ILO global standard that would address #genderbasedviolence at work. “Our job is to lobby, lobby, lobby and make sure we get support.” @ituc @equaltimes https://t.co/1IvYMPQGQj — Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) March 7, 2019
    TCU/IAM:
    “He kept the whole train connected in a family kind of way...It rekindled my faith in humans," said passenger Barbara May. So why does @Amtrak want to cut these jobs and service? Stop the #ColdCuts, Mr. Anderson. CC: @AmtrakCouncil https://t.co/Y61KGnytFC — Transportation Communications Union/IAM (@TCUnionHQ) March 2, 2019
    Theatrical Stage Employees:
    This Women's History Month, we're highlighting the stories of IA women who came before and blazed the trail for all of us. Tell us about the groundbreaking women in your local in the replies! #WomensHistoryMonth #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/I0QJkUou4f — IATSE (@IATSE) March 4, 2019
    Transport Workers:
    UnAmerican continues to undermine the safety of its fleet by penny wise, dollar foolish outsourcing. TWU Jet Mechanics uncovered dangerous conditions which included improper electrical wiring. UnAmerican Air needs to stop putting profits before people. @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/qWUGZYcAEW — TWU (@transportworker) March 7, 2019
    Transportation Trades Department:
    Teachers, bus drivers, and school support workers want the best for the kids they serve. That's why they're standing united with @AFTUnion to fight for #FundOurFuture - and we're standing with them. https://t.co/XiGSWptZsQ — Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) March 7, 2019
    UAW:
    This week, GM is idling the GM Lordstown Plant. On Friday, show your solidarity with the affected workers by wearing blue and posting your photo online with the hashtag #GMinvestinUS. pic.twitter.com/rJ6u90pQGN — UAW (@UAW) March 6, 2019
    United Food and Commercial Workers:
    Citing civil rights, cities are banning cashless retail: Some New Yorkers want to join cities like Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington in banning them, because cashless business discriminates against low-income people. https://t.co/NvU8fI4iQA @RWDSU — UFCW (@UFCW) March 7, 2019
    Union Label and Service Trades Department:
    "There are many team members working at Whole Foods today whose total compensation is actually less than what it was before the wage increase due to these labor reductions," says Whole Worker, a group organizing for a union at the high-end grocery chain... https://t.co/md7LE1DbJD — Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) March 6, 2019
    Union Veterans Council:
    Fact of the day: Veterans have a 15% union density #1u @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/BntDh5jQoA — Union Veterans Council (@unionveterans) February 23, 2019
    UNITE HERE:
    "That humble piece of cardboard is a symbol of solidarity—a sign of what labor movements are made of, and a sign of the racial unity they should continue to strive for."#1u #WomensHistoryMonth https://t.co/lYyyicah58 — UNITE HERE (@unitehere) March 7, 2019
    United Steelworkers:
    Yes! We're so happy @PittGrads! Let's do this! More: https://t.co/ADIVJC6Gn1 #1u #UnionYes pic.twitter.com/td5rJIcn3n — United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) March 7, 2019
    United Students Against Sweatshops:
    Instead of praising @nike for doing the minimum, call on them to rehire hundreds of Indonesian women organizing for higher pay and better working conditions. Sign our petition here: https://t.co/zgjMXgCjpx — USAS (@USAS) February 27, 2019
    Utility Workers:
    A truly excellent article from @USATODAY on the enormous potential of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) to address climate change. https://t.co/wiCTxG8IeO pic.twitter.com/lJV9lGODhu — UWUA National (@The_UWUA) March 5, 2019
    Working America:
    Abandoning white-working class voters to Republican racial messaging is bad politics and bad for the country. In @Newsweek's new cover story, @MattMorrison explains that politicians can address racial and economic justice at the same time https://t.co/wFXSt5CWc2 pic.twitter.com/AJzABtqQZg — Working America (@WorkingAmerica) March 7, 2019
    Writers Guild of America, East:
    We are thrilled to announce that the 169-member editorial staff at Gizmodo Media Group has unanimously ratified its second collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America, East! #1u https://t.co/PRHG9f2Oyo — Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) March 5, 2019
    Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/12/2019 - 11:48     — Mar 12
  • Profiling Women Labor Leaders and Activists: The Working People Weekly List
    Profiling Women Labor Leaders and Activists: The Working People Weekly List AFL-CIO Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. AFL-CIO Is Profiling Labor Leaders and Activists for Women's History Month: "For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. First, let's take a look back at women we've profiled in the past." New Proposal Would Keep Millions of Working People from Getting Overtime: "The Donald Trump administration is proposing a new overtime regulation that would protect at least 2.8 million fewer workers than the overtime regulation proposed by the Barack Obama administration in 2016." Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: School Administrators: "Next up in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the School Administrators (AFSA). The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates." Black History Month Labor Profiles: William Burrus: "For Black History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various African American leaders and activists who have worked at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Our next profile is William Burrus." AFSCME Member Elected to Connecticut State Legislature: "Anthony Nolan, a New London, Connecticut, city councilman and member of AFSCME Local 724, won his race yesterday in a special election to fill an open seat in the state legislature." Caring for Our Caregivers: Workplace Violence Hearing Highlights Job-Related Assaults for Health Care and Social Service Workers: "Workplace violence is a serious and growing problem for working people in the United States: It causes more than 450 homicides and 28,000 serious injuries each year. Workplace homicide now is responsible for more workplace deaths than equipment, fires and explosions. Two of every three workplace violence injuries are suffered by women." The Key to Genuine Equality? A Union Card: "Whenever I face adversity—when my faith is shaken or my confidence falters—I turn to a woman I carry in my heart every day. Too often forgotten in Dr. King’s shadow, Coretta Scott King embodied everything at the core of an intersectional fight for justice. Above all, she recognized that the movement for civil rights could not stop at the voting booth. It had to be a fight for dignity in every facet of our lives—the right to stand tall at work and to live with security at home." Union Politicians Helped Achieve Labor’s Progressive New Jersey Policy Goals: "Today’s progressive, pro-worker victories in the halls of Trenton were born more than 20 years ago at the New Jersey State AFL-CIO headquarters on State Street, only a couple hundred or so yards from the capitol building. The passage of a $15 minimum wage, a landmark paid family leave program and other legislation to lift up New Jersey’s working families are the culmination of an idea we had in 1997. Tired of politicians who took our money and turned their backs, we asked this simple question: Instead of hoping for our leaders to do right by union members, what if we elected union members themselves?" Support Public Education: In the States Roundup: "It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter." Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: American Federation of Musicians: "Next up in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates." Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2019 - 12:41 — Mar 11
  • Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFSCME
    Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFSCME AFL-CIO Next up in our series taking a deeper look at each of our affiliates is AFSCME. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates. Name of Union: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Mission: AFSCME members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations, AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and the freedom and opportunity for all working families. Current Leadership of Union: Lee Saunders was elected AFSCME president in 2012, the first African American to hold that position, after previously serving as secretary-treasurer and in many other roles with AFSCME since 1978. He comes from a union family, raised in Cleveland as the son of a city bus driver and a community organizer. Elissa McBride serves as secretary-treasurer, and AFSCME has 35 international vice presidents serving different regions Members Work As: Nurses, corrections officers, child care providers, EMTs, sanitation workers, early childhood educators, home care workers, police officers, library workers, probation and parole officers, parks and recreation workers, biologists, environmental planners, watershed rangers, vehicle emissions testers, groundskeepers, food service employees, administrators, support services, information technology, waste disposal, bridge inspectors, parking attendants and many others. Industries Represented: States, cities, counties and other local governments, as well as the federal government and private employers performing public services. History: During the depths of the Great Depression, a group of state employees in Madison, Wisconsin, formed what would later become the Wisconsin State Employees Union/Council 24 in an effort to successfully defend the state's civil service system and stand up to political cronyism. Four years later, in 1936, the American Federation of Labor granted a charter for AFSCME, which united the Wisconsin group with numerous others that had formed across the country after the success in Madison. At the end of 1936, the union had 10,000 members. Growth was difficult at first, but by 1946, the union had grown to 73,000 members. The AFL-CIO merger brought AFSCME another 40,000 members. In the 1960s, during the presidency of Jerry Wurf, AFSCME was active in the struggle for racial justice. The 1968 strike of AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, was a signature moment in civil rights and labor rights history. It was in Memphis, in support of the sanitation workers’ struggle, that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. AFSCME continued to grow during the 1970s and 1980s, with a focus on bringing together independent associations of public employees in an effort to harness the collective power of so many voices. Almost 60 associations, representing 450,000 people, joined AFSCME by affiliation or merger, pushing total membership past the 1 million mark. AFSCME’s growth across the country gave the union a more powerful voice when it came to fighting injustice. In September 1981, AFSCME’s 60,000-member delegation, the largest from any single union, led the march at the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Day, a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., demanding fair treatment for workers. That same year in San Jose, California, AFSCME Local 101 staged the first strike in the nation’s history over the issue of pay equity for women. The action attracted national media attention and helped spark the pay equity movement. For decades, corporations, billionaires and their allies have engaged in a coordinated and well-financed effort to weaken the power of public-sector unions like AFSCME. Last year, in a case called Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, the most business-friendly Supreme Court in history ruled in favor of anti-worker forces, overturning decades of precedent to make the entire public sector so-called right to work. Many pundits predicted this would be a death blow. But because of the work put in by AFSCME, together with other public-sector unions and the AFL-CIO, AFSCME has emerged in the strongest possible position. No politician or judicial decision can contain the collective power of working people. More than 300,000 fee payers converted to AFSCME members since early 2014; and since the Janus ruling, seven times more people have joined AFSCME than have chosen to drop. Current Campaigns: AFSCME People works to elect politicians who promote policies that support working people. AFSCME Strong is building a culture of activism—in particular through member-to-member engagement and one-on-one conversations—that blunts the impact of attacks like the Janus case. I AM 2018, a 50th anniversary commemoration of the Memphis sanitation strike, is a call to action to continue the work of Dr. King and the sanitation workers of 1968. Community Efforts: The AFSCME Free College program pays for higher education for members and their families. AFSCME Advantage offers discounts and benefits to members. The Never Quit Awards spotlight members who go above and beyond in performing their jobs. Next Wave seeks to empower and unite young AFSCME members. AFSCME Now serves as a daily digest of news and information about AFSCME members and the labor movement. Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2019 - 08:25 — Mar 11